Police quiz Sabah student leader for objecting Musa Aman appointment

Summary

• A student activist in Sabah says he was summoned by cops yesterday over a plan to protest in Kota Kinabalu.

• Fadhil Kasim of Suara Mahasiswa UMS group claims the line of questioning was focused on the group’s objection against Musa Aman’s appointment as Sabah governor.

Police yesterday questioned the leader of a Sabah student movement, purportedly over the group’s objection to Musa Aman’s appointment as the state governor.

According to Fadhil Kasim, who leads the Suara Mahasiswa UMS group, he was summoned to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters after a private secretary to Musa lodged a police report against him and the group.

This followed the movement’s press conference last week, where they announced a plan to hold a two-day protest in Kota Kinabalu and listed a series of their objections and demands.

“The statement recording session took about 30 minutes. Before I signed the statement, I could see that there were a total of 17 questions this time, much fewer compared to a previous experience where I was asked 39 questions.

“The line of questioning was focused on the fourth demand by our Perhimpunan Aman Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 (Peaceful Rally Against Sabah Corruption 2.0), besides several questions about a news report by Malaysiakini and Suara Mahasiswa UMS’ position (on issues)," he said in a statement published on Facebook.

The fourth demand that Fadhil mentioned referred to the group’s objection to Musa’s appointment as Sabah governor.

In response to the questions, the activist said he had used his right under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code to decline to answer, except saying he would only answer in court.

Malaysiakini has reached out to the Kota Kinabalu district police for comment.

Aide criticised

Fadhil also criticised Musa and his aide for lodging a report against the movement.

“We have only held a press conference, but they have already reported to the police.

“Since Musa became the governor and UMS chancellor, the water crisis at our university has only gotten worse. (But) he would only visit UMS whenever there is a major event,” he added.

On May 17, Fadhil and other movement leaders held a press conference announcing their plan to organise the rally on June 21 and 22.

The group cited four demands as the basis for the protest.

Firstly, they want UMS to drag the Sabah Water Department to court over the prolonged water woes at their university.

The group also demands a total separation of powers in the appointment of the MACC chief, and for the government to legislate a stronger law against corruption.

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